The city budget balancing package went public this week, and the next major step comes today: the last major public hearing before the council votes on changes to the mayor's plan. Testimony starts online at 1 p.m. and continues in person at City Hall downtown at 5 p.m., with the agenda outlining how to participate.

In West Seattle, two separate proposals are still in play. The Alki Community Council says Councilmember Rob Saka's package kept most of its requested additions, but not the item it is still pressing to restore: an Alki traffic camera.

At the same time, local artist Desmond Hansen is backing funding for a Delridge art wall in the park between Delridge Skatepark and Delridge Community Center. The idea made it into the balancing package, though it still must survive the rest of the budget process.

Supporters of the wall argue that a legal place to paint could do more than create space for murals. They say it could help reduce unwanted graffiti nearby by giving artists, including younger artists, a sanctioned place to work instead of using private property.

Today's hearing is a key chance for residents to weigh in before the budget changes move closer to a final vote.